Group Details Cell Phone Cancer Findings

The research group that last month deemed cell phone radiation a “possible” carcinogen has released more information regarding the way they reached their conclusions. The World Health Organizationâ€™s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published their report on cell phone radiation and cancer online in The Lancet Oncology.

According to the report, the IARC panel, which was made up of 30 scientists from 14 countries, reviewed hundreds of cell phone studies that involved both humans and animals. This included the 2010 INTERPHONE study, which constitutes the largest study of cell phone health effects conducted to date. As we’ve reported previously, the INTERPHONE study found that the heaviest cell phone usersâ€“those using the devices at least 30 minutes dailyâ€”and who reported using their phones on the same side of their heads, experienced a 40 percent higher risk for gliomas, the most common type of brain tumor.

The INTERPHONE Study, which involved nearly 13,000 people in numerous countries, also saw an increased risk of tumors where exposure to cell phone radiation is highest – the brain’s temporal lobe, as well as the side of the head where the phone is held.

The IARC panel also relied on a 2011 study conducted by Swedish researchers which not only found a higher glioma risk among people who used cell phones for 10 years, but also saw an increased risk among those who began using cell phones before age 20.

In The Lancet Oncology article, the IARC scientists acknowledge that both of the studies suffer from bias, but they were unable to dismiss their conclusions.

“In view of the limited evidence in humans and animals, the Working Group classified RF-EMF as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans,'” they wrote in the report’s conclusion. “This evaluation was supported by a large majority of Working Group members.”

The findings of the IARC panel points to a need for much further study into the effects of cell phone radiation. In the meantime, there are several steps cell phone users can take to mitigate their risks. These include using a landline, preferably the corded variety, whenever possible and turning your cell phone off when you are not using it. Keeping the cell phone away from your head by utilizing speakerphone mode or corded earpieces can also limit cell phone radiation exposure. It is also best to save calls for when you have strong service because the more energy your phone uses to get a good signal, the more radiation you could be exposed to. And finally, whenever possible, communicate via text messaging.